Adjustments are the name of game at SW Regionals

RYAN BLAKE THURMANHerald Sports Editor

Published 7:00 pm, Wednesday, August 5, 2009

All sports are games of strategy, but baseball, above all others, is most like a chess match. Moving players around to counteract an opponent's strengths, or bringing in a different pitcher because a certain batter struggles against a big-breaking curveball.

Going into a baseball game with little to no scouting is not an ideal situation, but coaches in that situation do what they can. It definitely adds a different dynamic to the game.

"What I do know is, historically, they have a good program. Beyond that, I don't know much," said Plainview head coach Wally Chavez.

But Chavez says that's what makes Southwest Regionals so interesting.

"That's the case with most of these teams. That's the fun, if you will, of going to Southwest Regionals. You don't know much about the teams," he said.

Due to a lack of intel on opponents in the tournament, Chavez wasn't able to talk much about strategy, but he could speak for his team's mind-set.

"I sense that the team is ready to play," Chavez said. "They work very hard at practice and we've had good practices, but you get the sense that they are ready to start playing games against someone else."

The local all-stars' first chance at playing somebody else comes at noon Friday against Bryant, Ark. If Plainview wins, it advances to play Springdale, Ark., or Twin Cities, La. at noon Sunday. A first-round loss means a 2:30 p.m. game Friday against the loser of Nederland and host Bentonville.

Plainview has yet to experience defeat this summer and heads into the tournament with a 6-0 record.

Chavez, a former Plainview Bulldog who went on to play second base at Sul Ross State University, believes pitching is the key to baseball, and he is confident in his cache of hurlers.

"I feel good about our pitching. Our pitching is very strong and I feel very good about our defense," he said. "The key to our pitching is throwing strikes and giving our team a chance by doing that. We're just challenging our kids to make the routine plays behind our pitchers."

"A lot of (those decisions) are dictated by the game - If the pitcher is on or not, if you get a big lead or if it's a tight game," said Chavez.

In their last game against Levelland, Gonzales went four innings while striking out nine and giving up only three hits and one walk. Larralde then relieved Gonzales and gave up two hits while striking out two.

Another factor that figures into the pitching strategy at Southwest Regionals is that pitchers are only allowed to throw a maximum of seven innings in two consecutive games.

Chavez also pointed out that it is essential his team get hot at the plate.

"With the way we've been pitching, if we'll just hit the ball our chances go way up," he said. "We're trying to keep strikeouts down and put the pressure on defense by keeping the ball in play."

So far this summer, Plainview has been up to that task as it has defeated every opponent in district and state play by at least 10-runs.

The all-stars also like utilize their speed on the bases to get runners into scoring position. In a game against Levelland, Plainview had seven stolen bases and advanced on numerous pass balls.

Chavez said the tournament comes down to making in-game adjustments.

"Our philosophy is to play one inning at a time and make adjustments as you go," he said.

And, in the end, isn't that what the chess-like aspect of sports amounts to?

Preparation and study provide insight into tendencies and help predict outcomes, but the greatest competitors adapt.

If Plainview manages to win the Southwest Regional, they will advance to the World Series which will be begin August 22, in Murray, Utah.